Anti-Piracy Film Contest Issues Its Call for Entries; Project: FAIR Awarding Filmmakers for Best PSAs about Movie Theft.

LOS ANGELES -- Bringing the battle against online and street-corner movie theft directly to filmmakers, the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA), in conjunction with Had To Be Made Films, today announced the official Call for Entries for Project: FAIR (Filmmakers Against Illegal Replication). Project: FAIR is a contest for filmmakers to create public service announcements that speak out against motion picture theft in imaginative ways that will resonate with the public.

"The program gives filmmakers the opportunity to contribute their gifts to raising the awareness of the problem of Internet file-swapping of movies and bootleg DVDs, while expanding their reach and exposure of their creative works to a wide group of entertainment industry leaders and millions of consumers," said VSDA President Bo Andersen.

Filmmakers are invited to submit 30- to 40-second films centered around a persuasive message against theft of movies that is appropriate for all ages. The films should emphasize that purchasing illegal copies contributes to copyright infringement and/or that downloading copyrighted movies without authorization is stealing and a crime. Additional information and complete rules can be found at www.projectfair.com.

Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of celebrity judges, who will select the winning spots. These winning PSAs will be announced and previewed at VSDA's Home Entertainment 2005 event, to be held July 26-28, 2005, at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Winners will receive prizes and have their PSAs played in video stores across the country. They also will be featured at an awards ceremony during the VSDA's Home Entertainment Event 2005. In addition, the spots will be made available to motion picture studios and theater owners.

"Fighting theft of intellectual property in the entertainment industry is one VSDA's core responsibilities," said VSDA President Bo Andersen. "We are very excited to involve filmmakers in this effort because filmmakers have the talent and ability to develop unique approaches and messages that will effectively reach consumers and change cultural attitudes about this form of theft. The financial impact and loss of product quality through piracy are consequences that affect everyone."

"It's a fantastic opportunity for filmmakers to get nationwide exposure," said Mike Kyle, CEO of Had To Be Made Films, the company facilitating the program. "There are few other chances to have your work play across the country, and the nation's video stores reach millions of consumers each week."

Current sponsors of Project: FAIR include Hilton Hotels, IndieWire and Moviemaker Magazine.

The contest is part of the Video Software Dealers Association's continuing strategy to combat illegal file-swapping of movies and bootleg DVDs. The strategy includes educating the public, advocating more effective anti-piracy laws, supporting vigorous enforcement of existing laws, and providing consumers with multiple competitive, lawful alternatives to video piracy. Project: FAIR will complement other VSDA public education programs, which include a recently launched initiative to play anti-piracy trailers and display anti-piracy posters in video stores, and the Association's ongoing effort to encourage motion picture studios to include anti-piracy trailers on DVDs.

ABOUT VSDA -- Established in 1981, the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) is the not-for-profit international trade association for the $24 billion home entertainment industry. VSDA represents more than 800 companies throughout the United States, Canada and other nations. Its members operate more than 11,500 retail outlets in the U.S. that sell and/or rent DVDs, VHS cassettes and console video games. Membership comprises the full spectrum of video retailers (from single-store operators to large chains), video distributors, the home video divisions of major and independent motion picture studios, and other related businesses that constitute and support the home video entertainment industry.

ABOUT HAD TO BE MADE FILMS -- Established in 2002, Had To Be Made, Inc. is focused on providing distribution, production and representation services to independent filmmakers. In addition to the HTBM/VSDA Filmmaker Program, Had To Be Made, Inc. also runs the Had To Be Made Film Festival, the first nationwide film festival available only on DVD at top independent video rental outlets across the country.